Tooth Coloured Crowns

A dental crown fits over the remaining part of a tooth, helping to strengthen it and making it look like a whole, natural tooth once more.

There are a number of reasons why we may recommend them. Your tooth may be very decayed and not strong enough to be filled any more, the top part of the tooth may have been accidentally damaged, or you may need one following root canal treatment. Crowns are also sometimes needed to help support a dental bridge.

We will numb your tooth and the area around it so we can prepare your tooth, and will take an impression, or mould, of the area. We will also take a note of the natural shade of your teeth.

These will be used by skilled technicians at a dental laboratory to create a crown which fits and matches your other teeth perfectly.

While the crown is being made, you will be fitted with a temporary one. Once your new crown is ready – usually within two weeks – we will fit it and bond it firmly into place.

Anterior Crown

Posterior Crown

Why might my dentist advise a crown?

There are a number of reasons your dentist might advise that you have a crown, or crowns, on your teeth:

the tooth may have been weakened by having a very large filling

you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the teeth

you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it

you may have had an accident and damaged the tooth

your tooth may have been fractured

you may want to improve the appearance of your smile

How long will a crown last?

This will depend very much on how strong the remaining tooth is, how heavy your bite is, and how well it is looked after with a good daily oral health regime and a healthy diet which limits the amount of sugary foods and drinks. If all these factors are favourable a crown can and will last for many years.

What are crowns made of?

There are a variety of types of crown, for example, porcelain, gold, porcelain bonded to precious metal, and ceramic. If a tooth is root filled, it may need to have a metal or carbon fibre post fitted first to support or retain the crown. The appropriate type of crown for your individual needs will depend on the need for strength and aesthetics. Your dentist will explain the differences and advise which is best for your circumstances. Cost will be taken into account.

Inlays / Onlays

A porcelain inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a filling, but isn't so big that a crown is required to avoid any further unnecessary tooth reduction. An inlay is a subtle tooth-colored restoration which can fill large cavities and repair damaged teeth and is virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Onlays (also known as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order to protect and strengthen the tooth. They also protect the thin walls of a tooth which remain after large cavities are made from either decay or removal of an old filling.